The Dominic Macedonio Pacing Series culminated on Thursday afternoon, January 26 at Monticello Raceway with a $6,400 final for the horses and geldings and a $5,600 final for the fillies and mares. Mike Forte guided Imposter A to a 1:58.3 victory in the final for the horses, while Stephane Bouchard hustled Jessalilmixup to a 2:00.4 triumph in the final for the mares.
But the series turned out to be a showcase for the Australian-bred Imposter A. The nine-year-old altered son of Fake Left won all three of his preliminary legs and kept his seasonal win streak alive in the final. Forte used a first-over trip to wear down the leaders and hold off a late rally by the veteran Dougs Boy (driven by Alan Schwartz) to score a one-length triumph. Scoot For Glory (Jason Bartlett) was third.
“My horse likes to be on the front end, but Jason (Bartlett with Scoot For Glory) grabbed the lead so quickly that I had no choice other than to take a seat,” Forte explained. “Luckily, Jason set quick fractions, which I knew would help us since I figured my horse would finish strong, which he did. But, it wasn’t until the final 100 yards that Jason’s horse let go and when he did we swept to victory.”
Elisha Lafreniere trains the winner for C & F Asssociates from Hillsdale, New Jersey.
The final for the fillies and mares proved to be a boon for owner-trainer Eric Taddeo when his two-horse entry of Jessalilmixup and Admirals Chance finished first and second in the event and he took home three-quarters of the $5,600 purse.
Taddeo, a New York City fireman and avid amateur driver, handed the lines to veterans Stephane Bouchard and Kyle DiBenedetto and was content to play the owner's role.
DiBenedetto, with Admirals Chance, took command from Bouchard and Jessalilmixup before the quarter mile timer flashed up in :29.1. Taddeo’s tandem then raced one-two around the track. In the stretch, Jessalilmixup, an eight-year-old daughter of Little Steven, rallied up the inside to nail Admiral Chance by a neck. Third place went to Space Chalet, who was in rein to Alan Schwartz.
(Monticello)